Tips and Strategies to Help the Medicine Go Down

One of my favorite childhood movies is Mary Poppins. As a child, I enjoyed singing Mary's song, "A spoonful of Sugar" (helps the medicine go down). While Mary's advice can help support a loved one with difficulty swallowing or accepting medications, it's essential to pay attention to added sugar for overall health.

As a caregiver, I sampled a few ways and healthier alternatives to help my father who had trouble swallowing his medications. Along the way, I discovered ways to distract his focus when he was reluctant to swallow and chew the medication he was prescribed.

My dad was hiding his medicine

As I helped to prepare Dad's breakfast, I placed his morning medications on a napkin next to his bowl of cereal. Returning to the table from making toast and pouring his orange juice, his handful of pills and fiber gummies were gone. "Dad, did you swallow your pills and take your fiber gummies?" He replied yes, often shaking his head and smiling. I thought he had taken them but shouldn't have assumed.

The first couple of signs that had me concerned that Dad was not taking his medications were becoming apparent. One morning, his medicine spilled into the trash from his crumpled napkin while I cleared his dishes. Soon after, while I was helping him change into a clean pair of pants, his medications scattered onto the floor from the pocket of his dirty jeans. Staring briefly at his medications and gummies on the floor, I felt disappointed with myself.

My concerns about Dad hiding his medications had me thinking about how I would need to navigate this situation better. As I watched him over the next few days playing with meds, lining them up in rows, and trying to hide them in napkins, I would ask him about them, and he would explain that he didn't need them or they tasted sour, and that they were too big to bite and chew.

The progression in his short-term memory due to Alzheimer's was failing him, so asking him if he had taken his pills was a poor mistake. While I should have done better, I did not get too down on myself. It was time for me to pay closer attention to ensure he successfully took his required medications. Dad often said, "March forward and find the way."

A responsibility to educate myself as a caregiver

The role and responsibility of caregiving does not come with an instruction booklet, but it is essential to self-educate. My father's medications were part of his plan for overall health and wellness. If there were things I needed clarification on, I asked questions and searched for answers. This involved reading material online and speaking with his doctor and pharmacist.

Taking the time to understand Dad's medicine

While I knew about Dad's medications, it was vital for me to revisit his medication bottles and reread the attached medical paperwork, devouring the small print. As someone new who was taking over this enormous responsibility, I aimed to ensure that I understood the purpose of each medication, when and how they should be taken, and what might occur if a dose was missed. I researched if Dad's medications could be administered in liquid form, but his prescriptions could not be taken this way.

During a visit with my sister and when discussing Dad's medications, we photographed each medication alongside the corresponding bottle. We printed the photos and added them to a mini photo album listing the medication and dosage to keep ourselves and others informed.

With Dad's medication review, I learned about pill packs and how they could help me with Dad's medication management. Once I understood the details of his medications, I was better equipped to provide them. Ordering the pill packs for Dad's travels cut down on carrying a bag full of medications, and the photo album was easy to update should there be change in medication.

Kitchen tools to help with chewing and swallowing pills

Understanding that Dad needed additional support with swallowing and chewing his medicines, I started by placing his pills and fiber gummies in a small decorative bowl. I purchased ones that featured farm animals and Disney characters. These choices were good conversation pieces. I would ask Dad to locate specific animals and characters while placing a pill in his hand and sometimes in his mouth to try and swallow with encouragement.

These types of distractions enabled him to swallow the smaller pills without too much difficulty. I dabbled with a pill crusher, and this tool was helpful when I added them to a drink. Sometimes, Dad questioned me about what I was feeding him, and he refused to take his medications. When this happened, I would place his meds in a safe space, and we would try again later. As a reminder, I used a timer on my cell phone so we could try again.

Another helpful kitchen tool was a blender. The pill crusher came in handy when added to fresh fruit and a scoop of low-fat ice cream for the smoothie. Plus, it helped mask the bitter pill taste. Dad enjoyed his smoothie in a mug, along with a brightly colored spoon and a crazy straw.

I would add daily fiber powder instead of the fiber gummies, and Dad never complained. A couple of healthier options he would enjoy eating included sugar-free pudding or apple sauce cups instead. Dad's crushed pills worked well on his toast mixed with a heaping teaspoon of blackberry and strawberry jam.

Establish a routine

While caring for Dad, routine was our best friend. Not only did we reap the benefits of keeping a schedule of our daily activities and appointments, but it also included meal prep for Dad and med prep for me.

Meal prep was a great way for me to involve Dad in the kitchen. He washed off fruits and mixed dry ingredients to prepare recipes. Dad would help to empty the dishwasher, sort socks, and fold towels. Involving him in these tasks allowed me to prepare his meds for the morning.

There is no perfect recipe for caregiver success

As a caregiver, my patience was tested, and Dad's was, too. Dad and I were both learning how to navigate Alzheimer's. His new behaviors took time for me to understand and work through, like discovering how to get him to take his medications. During our hard times, I recall the kindness Dad shared so freely. Now, it is my time to shine even more kindness onto others, which I will proudly do.

When medications got in Dad's way, I discovered that remaining calm and labored breathing helped. We also took many walks and would stroll until things felt more peaceful. Our time outdoors allowed us to enjoy the sunshine while discussing what we would do when we returned to the house.

On rainy days, we would watch cartoons and the movie Mary Poppins. As Mary sang, we would happily sing along, especially when a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, just like Dad sang it to me when I was a young girl. Sweet memories of me and Dad are made of this.